Tosa Forged Blades

Records show that at the end of the 16th century there were some 400 smiths at work in Tosa. While they were skilled in the making of the samurai sword, they also seem to have made sickles and knives at the request of local farmers. Subsequently, with the promotion of forestry and the development of new fields in the area, bladed tools for agriculture and forestry were made in large quantities and a production center for forged goods came into being.

A variety of knives, hatchets, sickles and axes are now produced alongside quality saws. A form of "free forging" is used to great effect in the making of these tools and each one is made individually. There are now 146 firms employing 229 people, among whom are 11 government recognized Master Craftsmen.